Detachable shelf extension



Y' 1954 J. J. CAVANAUGH 2,678,135

DETACHABLE SHELF EXTENSION Filed Oct. 3. 1950 John J. Cavanaug v INVENTOR. L +44 Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETACHABLE SHELF EXTENSION John J. Cavanaugh, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 3, 1950, Serial No. 188,237

2 Claims. (Cl. 211-86) The present invention relates to improvements in shelves and more particularly to a shelf which is adapted to provide an extension on another shelf.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel means whereby a plate extension forming a detachable shelf may be secured to a shelf for rigid positioning thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel detachable shelf extension which is adapted to be positioned on shelves of varying widths.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement whereby the extension portion of the shelf extension is firmly supported by the opposite angulated end which is received in a recess formed in the shelf on which the extension is mounted.

Still other objects of the present invention are to provide such means that are simple in construction, economical of manufacture, readily positioned on a shelf and removed therefrom.

The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view show ing the detachable shelf extension detached from the shelf;

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view showing the detachable shelf extension mounted on the L In order to adapt the conventional shelf 10 to receive the detachable shelf extension 12, a substantially rectangular recess I4 is formed therein and an apertured plate element I6 is secured over the recess l4 with the aperture H3 in the plate element [6 in alignment with the recess. The plate 16 is secured by means of screws 20, an enlarged recess 22 being formed in the shelf It) for receiving the plate element l6 so that the outer surfaces of the plate element l6 lie in the same plane as the surface 24 and edge 26 of the shelf Ill. The aperture IS in the plate element 16 is T-shaped for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The detachable plate extension [2 is comprised of a plate 28 which is formed along its side edges with a plurality of spaced apertures 30. A substantially U-shaped wire rod 32 having angulated ends 34 is positionable with the leg portions 36 receivable in the apertures 36 with the bight portion 38 adapted to abut the outer edge 40 of the shelf Hi When the plate 28 is positioned as shown in Figure 2.

One end portion of the plate 28 is formed with an offset portion 42 having a downwardly extending first reduced portion 44 and an inwardly extending second reduced portion 46 which is formed with an enlarged portion 48, the portions 46 and 48 being positionable within the recess I4 of the shelf [0. The portions 46 and 48 provide a T-shaped inwardly extending end for the plate 28 and it will readily be seen that the enlarged portion 48 may be inserted through the enlarged portion [9 of the aperture 118 in the plate element I6. Once the enlarged portion 48 has been inserted through the elongated portion I 9, the plate 28 may be pivoted about the axis 50 so that the reduced portion 46 will be engaged within the reduced portion 2! of the aperture [8, thereby securing the detachable shelf extension to the shelf Ill.

Of course, when it is desired to remove the shelf extension l2 from the shelf I 0, the plate 28 is pivoted upwardly around the axis 5|] so that the end portion having the downwardly extending portion 44 will be moved downwardly disengaging the enlarged end 48 from behind the plate element It for ready removal through the slot l9.

The detachable shelf extension 12 may be employed to support potted plants 52 or the like.

From the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, it is believed that a detachable shelf extension has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. For use with a shelf having a recess in one edge thereof, a detachable shelf extension comprising an extension plate, said extension plate having an offset end portion, a downwardly extending reduced portion on said offset end, an inwardly extending T-shaped tongue on said downwardly extending portion, a plate secured over said recess, said plate having a T-shaped slot receiving said T-shaped tongue.

2. For use with a shelf having a recess in one edge thereof, a detachable shelf extension comprising an extension plate, said extension plate having an ofiset end portion, a downwardly extending reduced portion on said ofiset end, an inwardly extending T-shaped tongue on said downwardly extending portion, a plate secured over said recess, said plate having a T-shaped 5 slot receiving said T-shaped tongue, said extension plate having a plurality of spaced apart apertures along the side edges, a rod including angulated ends, said ends extending through said apertures and overlying said extension plate, 1 said rod engaging the edge of said shelf.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Goings Mar. 28, 1933 

